The new Science & Engineering Library at Columbia University will open in the Northwest Corner Building on January 18, 2011. The new library will focus on research support for the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and psychology, as well as providing a collaborative environment supporting rapidly expanding interdisciplinary science and engineering research. The library features seating and study spaces for 345 students and researchers with spectacular views of the Columbia campus and Morningside Heights.

"The new Science & Engineering Library fulfills the vision of the Columbia University Libraries to rethink and redefine library spaces to better support emerging approaches to research and teaching, said Jim Neal, Vice President for Information Services and University Librarian. “The library brings together people, technology, and information resources in an environment where scholars can work collaboratively, individually, or in consultation with science librarians and technologists."

A primary feature of the new library is the Digital Science Center (DSC) where students and faculty will be able to access a wide range of specialized software that ranges from visual analyzing of spatial imagery, easy molecular rendering and equation balancing, multivariate calculation, graphing, workflow and programming solutions, to 3D modeling and animation. The DSC includes over sixty software applications accessible from 50 workstations configured for both individual and collaborative work. The facility also includes multi-purpose spaces that support presentation preparation and practice, technology-based seminars, and library and technology instruction.

The building and library were designed by José Rafael Moneo, in collaboration with the architects at Madrid’s Moneo Brock Studio and New York’s Davis Brody Bond Aedas. The state of the art building links the laboratories and study spaces to the Columbia campus, facilitating the ready sharing and exchange of ideas, resources and information. More information about the Northwest Corner Building can be found at http://facilities.columbia.edu/node/1328/1331. Beginning January 28, the library will offer tours on Fridays at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. More information about the Digital Science Center and the Science & Engineering Library can be found at: /content/libraryweb/indiv/dsc.html

Columbia University Libraries/Information Services is one of the top five academic research library systems in North America. The collections include over 10 million volumes, over 100,000 journals and serials, as well as extensive electronic resources, manuscripts, rare books, microforms, maps, graphic and audio-visual materials. The services and collections are organized into 22 libraries and various academic technology centers. The Libraries employs more than 550 professional and support staff. The website of the Libraries is the gateway to its services and resources: library.columbia.edu.